February 22, 1904.]
noises! I have at times thought that something | should be done to abate a lot of the unnecessary "toot-tooting" of steam launches early in the morning, but after this discovery I will refrain from making the suggestion, lest I stand some day in danger of expiring through she'r_want of noise.
Now that we have to put up with the naval dock in the heart of the city I suppose we must make the best of it. It was objected before the commencement of the work, and I have heard the objection raised even recently that the construction of the dock would lead to the silting of the harbour, and give rise to most offensive smells in the neighbourhood of the Ülub. As a matter of fact, these fears have not been realised, and so far as the silting objection is concerned it has been absolutely disproved. There is no more silting in this part of the harbour now than there was before the doc: was commenced-probably very much less, 48 shipping men have noticed that the construo tion of the dock has had the effect of con. siderably increasing the strength of the curroat in the harbour, and that in itself would do the work of a dredger.
The subject of street nuisances is one which has been attracting a good deal of attention of late. But there is one which has not been mentioned by any of the letter-to-the-Editor men that cries for remedy as much as any of the other evils. And that is the practice that prevails, in the neighbourhood of new buildings, of masons working granite in the public street or iu such close proximity to it as to menace the safety of the eyes of people walking on the street. During one day at the end of last week the pavement at one of the most og sted parts of Queen's Road-the foot of D'Aguilar Street -was taken up by masons clipping granite, to the interruption of traffic as well as to the danger of pedestrians' eyes. When granite has to be worked on the strest, the police should see that a shield or wooden barrier is erected to keep the splinters from invading the thoroughfare,
It had been proposed at first to wind up the very successful series of monthly dances pro- moted by the Masonic Quadrille Club with a big ball in the City Halla fincy dress ball was even suggested--but now it has been definitely decided to have the last dance of the season in the same place as the others took place in, the Masonic Hall in Zetland Street. These dances have been very popular and enjoyable; their success tells of hard work on the part of Mr. H. W. Wolfe and Mr. G. J. W. King, the president and late secretary. With the incoming of the summer, the Club is not to be dissolved. It is proposed, I understand, during the hot months to have fortnightly launch-picnics. This departure should appeal to all, and will no doubt draw many new members into the Club. The membership now numbers nearly 150.
(Daily Press, 22nd February.) The attention of Hongkong and of the Colony's numerous visitors is rapidly being concentrated on the Races, which begin to morrow; and, as there is a great dearth of war news, there
little to distract our attention- except, of course, the calls of business. I am rather tempted to envy our friends from Shanghai who come down for China New Year and are stopping over the Race Meeting. When can we in Hongkong take as long a holiday? Yet I noticed in a local paper recently that a correspondent's appeal to the Editor to say whether we did not have too few holidays in Hongkong was met by a stern negative. From an Editor, of all men, this was oruel. But I am given to understand that Editors have so much grown to like constant work that they expaot other and non-editorial men to do the same. This week, however, even in Hongkong, is claimed as an almost universal holiday after about 12 o'clock in the morning. We only want a continuance of the present delightful weather to make the holiday a very pleasant one. Some people, no doubt, will add that they also want a few winners.
A gentleman who has made a study of the defences of Hongkong-that is to say, as far as
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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chicken, alive, but so severely mauled that it died shortly afterwards. What with foxes and these hawks, the rearing of poultry in the New Territory is said to be next to an impossibility at this se son of the year.
THE WAR.
BANYAN.
a mere civilian can study them-points out to me the utter inadequacy of the protection provided for the very heart of the island's vitality, Tytam Reservoir. From the direction of Waglan the great retaining wall of the reser. voir could be destroyed with a few accurately placed shells and Hagkong made practically aninhabitable or liable to capitulation to an enemy. Of course sacb na occurrence is a romote contingency, but reo nt events at Port Arthur have shown how swift-moving warships can rush in and strike ha-1 nd sure and got FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] aw y again in safety. engaged ut present in constracting a
The Engineers are military road up the hill which stands on the north of Tytam, so that it looks as if the Garrison authorities are at las going to provid, batteries to cove: the waterworks.
new
I not that the Times crrespon at at this port has fallen into an error, whether intentional be the fruits of curelessness I am unable t› say.
Referring to the despatch by the China Association of a telegram to Mr. Chamberlain in support of his s home of fiscal reform, he says that the Chamber of Commerce, being a cosmopolitan body, has decided not to discuss the question. I do not think the Cham- ber of Commerce did anything of the kind; the question was not, I believe, before the omittee even, and certainly was not laid before the mambers. He then adils that arrangements had been "mado by leading jou als to hold a plébiscite on the 16th iust, of th Laling British commuuity." The truth is that the arrange ments were made, not by the less, but by half ad zen leading residents, musly members of the Legislative Council, for the priscile to be held, and to them was due both the inception and carrying out of this id ›a.
When, I wonder, is the Bill to authorise (he
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construction of the projected new trimway ti th Victoria Gap to be read in the Legi lativo Council. I hear that the Secretary of State gave his sanction to sach a Bill being introduo ed some time ago, so I presume it will shortly come on for first runding. This projected line is of importance to the Colony not so much by reason of its affording an alternative route, to the heights and also providing for the ever growing traffic to the l'eak District, but as giv. ing access to the upper levels of the City of Vic. toria. There will be stations for Caine, Robin- son, and Conduit Roads, and residents on those levels will then become practically relieved from their present dependence on the chair-coolie who periodically strike for higher wages or treat their employers to a special outburst of insolence At present is possibl to run the line up the route surveyel, but a few years hence this might beon:ue itapossible throngħ growth of buildings or vested interests. It is well therefore to seize the opportunity, and the promoters are acting with foresight and enter. prise.
For refined cruelty it is difficult to find any worse examples than the Chinese. The love of inflicting pain seems to be as strong in the child as in the adult. In Wellington Street the other day I saw a crowd of Chines children gloating over the agonies of a tiny mouse, to whose tail they had tied a large piece of newspaper. To cap their joke one of the youthful torlaters se the piper alight. A young lady who was pa sing pro.aptly came to the rescue and souudly cuffed as many of the boys as she could get at In the same neighbourhood my notice was attracted by a beautiful butterfly that was flying very low, as if in distress of some sort. So it was. examination showed that a long piece of blue Close yara was tied to its body, and its agonised flight was being watched with apparent delight by a crowd of Chinese men and boys.
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KOBE, 11th February. Au Imperial Rescript declaring war against Russia has been issued.
KOBE, 12th February. Admiral Togo, the. Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese squadron, reports that at noon on the 8th inst. the Japanese torpedo- ships at Port Arthur. It is believed that four boat destroyers attacked the Russian war- Russian vessels were damaged. Next morn- ing the Japanee squadron attacked the Russians, who, the Admiral believed, were much damaged. The Japanese damages were slight. Casualties amounted to about 4 killed and 54 wounded.
Singapore, 12th February.
The Russiau Volunteer cruiser Voronej, bound for Odessa from the North, has arrived here and leaves at 9 a.m. to-morrow under neutrality rules, the proclamation having been promulgated to-day.
tion.
The local garrison is ready for mobilisa-
KOBB, 12th February.
It is officially stated that the Russians are bombarding Fukuyama at the entrance to the Tsugaru Straits (separating the main island from Hokaido), sinking on their way the Japanese merchant steamer Nakanoura Maru.
KOBE, 13th February.
The bombardment of Fukuyama is untrue. The authorities were misled by a report which speculators appear to have originated. The sinking of the merchant steamer is, however, correct.
SINGAPORE, 13th February.
All the Japanese naval reservists at Singa- pore have been ordered to return to Japan,
SHANGHAI, 15th February.
It is ascertained that the Russian cruiser Askold, reported to have been damaged at Port Arthur, really foundered.
Japan's refusal to recognise the neutrality of Corea has alarmed the Government at Pekin g.
LONDON, 16th February. Negotiatious have been concluded by Rus- sia for the purchase of some large transports at Antwerp.
The Russian squadron under Admiral Virenius, now on its way out East, has been ordered to re main at Jibuti.
Six Russian colliers have been captured by the Japanese.
KOBE, 17th February. Admiral Togo, commander-in-chief of the Japanese Fleet, has reported to headquar tra that his torpedo fleet on Sun.lay night, the 14th inst., advanced to make another They were fired upon from the forts. attack on the Russian ships at Port Arthur. The Asagiri, however, discharged a torpedo against a Russian ship, but owing to the
darkness the effect was not ascertained.
SINGAPORE, 18th February. The barque Woosung, just arrived from Shanghai, reports having seen large. Japanese warship four days' journey froid“ bere going in an eastwar l' direction.
A sportsman who was out pigeon-shooting in the New Territory had a curious experience. He was concealed in the bushes below some trees while his companion was driving the birds in. As he was waiting for a shot a hug hawk came swooping down towards him. Thinking it was going to attack him he lifted his gun to fire whereupon the bird gave a lond scream.
The Russians at Port Arthur have fired dropped something from its claws, and flow of
on the British steamers Heiping and Ching- in another direction. The object which the|ping and have seriously damaged the Ger hawk had let fall proved to be a half-grown man Pronto. They afterwards detained th
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SHANGHAI, 18th February,
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